Dear friends,
Italy's at the end of week 3 of its lockdown and it's taken a little adjusting to be confined to a 100sqm flat with my husband, two young adult daughters and dog. It was a challenge in the beginning, but we've finally found a happy routine that balances our lifestyles.
I remember thinking not too long ago how great it would be to work shorter weeks and have longer weekends. Never would I have thought that we would be confined to our homes with serious restrictions with heavy fines to go outdoors. I've always been a nature lover and not being allowed to go further than 200m from my home for essential groceries or medicine has made me think about life in a huge way.
I've always taken for granted the simple things in life, such as taking a walk when it's a beautiful sunny day. I miss my walks and I miss going hiking.
Since I've had to stay indoors, it's given me the possibility to do the things that I've always said I'd do when I retire. I have a daily routine that is flexible depending on how I feel, but I've been really good at keeping to the routine.
To start, I wake up in the morning when the sun shines through my window. It's great not having to wake up to an alarm. I have a leisure breakfast and then read my work emails. I might read a little or watch a little of a Netflix series for about an hour until I feel the need to exercise. We bought an elliptical machine that has been our lifeline. It keeps our body and mind fit while we're confined to our home. I'm not a sporty person and yet, after a week with the machine, I'm doing a 40-minute workout while watching Netflix. It's great and I'll be sorry when it'll be time to go back to work :(
Then I'll check my emails again before having a quick shower. If there's nothing urgent on the emails, I'll take my time and relax in a hot bath with scented oils or salts. It's something I've never really had time to do so I'm starting to enjoy the time at home.
Once I've had lunch, I sit down at my computer and work during the afternoon. If I'm not disturbed by anyone, I'll be able to write quite a bit but being at home with the family (and beautiful dog) there are always interruptions.
I'm sort of juggling two novels at the moment. Finishing the third novel in an adult series while writing a stand alone young adult novel. It's amazing how much we can do when we have all the time in the world while we're stuck indoors. Don't look at it as being stuck. Look at it as the possibility to do what you never have time for before.
After writing, my afternoon finishes with making bread, purifying water (less plastic bottles), and deciding what to make for dinner.
My day goes smoothly because my family is with me but it makes me mindful of those that are alone. Reach out to friends and family who live alone. Call or video chat with them because it makes a huge difference to keep the connection with the outside world.
My heart goes out to those who don't have a happy family life. Domestic violence increases in this environment so if there is anyone who you know who may be having a difficult time at home, reach out just to say hello.
If you haven't already downloaded my free ebooks (pen names included), below are the links to my free novels to help you get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy.
Grace
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Download FREE novels under the gender you desire:
Author Grace Kagni (adult romance novels): https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/GraceKagni
Author Rita Gracie (adult romance novellas): https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ritagracie
Author K. Gracie (young adult romance novels): https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/kgracie
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